Cut-out mechanism for electric switches



Feb 1933- H. L. VAN VALKENBURG ,7

CUT-OUT MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed July 3, 1930 2Sheets-Sheet l mentor 7, 1933- H. L. VAN VALKENBURG 1,896,735

CUT-OUT MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed July 3, 1950 2 SheetsSheet2 gwue/ntoz I Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HERMONL. VAN VALKENBURG, OF WAUWATOSA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO SQUARE DCOMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN CUT-OUT MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHESApplication filed July 8,

This invention relates to cut-out mechanism for electric switches, andis particularly directed to a cut-out mechanism for fluid actuatedswitches. It is the usual practice to provide either pressure or vacuumswitches which are fluid actuated and which control an electric motor orother electrical device, which is responsive to the condition of thefluid.

It is not always desirable to have the electric motor or otherelectrical device responsive to changes in the condition of the fluidmeans. In order to accomplish this, it has heretofore been necessary toprovide an auxiliary switch in the motor circuit which could be openedwhenever it was desired to throw the motor completely out of operationor to render it unresponsive to changes in the fluid conditionresponsive mechanism. It is obvious that this construction necessitatedadditional wiring and involved quite an additional expense in materialand labor in addition to requiring wall space.

This invention is designed to overcome the defects noted above, andobjects of this invention are to provide cut-out means for an automaticelectric switch, such cut-out means cooperating directly with theelectric switch and mechanically looking it either in open position orin closed position depending upon the design of the device.

Further objects are to provide a cut-out mechanism which may be carriedbodily by the automatic switch, which does not require additional wiringor additional 'wall space, but which forms a unitary portion of theautomatic switch itself.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a -cut-out mechanismfor an electric switch which is of very simple construction,

which may be made with the utmost cheapness, which requires .a minimumamount of change in order to adapt an automatic switch to the new use,and which is compact and eminently practical.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is avertical sectional view through a pressure responsiveswitch.

Figure 2 is a side elevation taken from the 1980. Serial No. 465,460.

opposite side from that as viewed in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 1 showing amodified form of the invention, the device in this figure being operableby a movable rod such as a float rod.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of a further form of the inventionshowing the con striliction of switch applicable to vacuum controReferring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the electricswitch comprises a housing 1 which may be mounted in any suitable mannerupon an appropriate support. This housing is rigidly attached to thecasing 2 of a diaphragm 3. If desired, the sup ort for the housing maybe obtained solely rom this source, although this feature forms noportion of the invention.

The casing is provided with a transverse pin or shaft 4 upon which themain rock lever is pivoted. This rock lever is provided with bell crankarms 6, see Figures 1 and 3, which are pivoted to downwardly projectinglugs carried by the plate 7.

A plurality of studs 8 extend u wardly throu h the capsule or casing 2an are attached at their lower ends to a pressure plate 9 which bearsagainst the diaphragm 3. The 90 upper ends of these studs are reducedand fit into apertures in the plate 7, spacers being provided, ifdesired, between the studs 8 and the plate 7, as indicated in Figure 1.

A main spring 10 bears at its lower end against the plate 7 resistingthe motion of the diaphragm, and at its upper end bears against anadjustable washer 11 loosely mounted upon a threaded stem 12 rigid withthe casing. An adjusting nut 13 controls the pressure of the spring 10.

The main lever 5 is provided with a pivoted link 14 at its upper endwhich is urged downwardly by means of an adjustable spring 15. The outerend of the link 14 is provided with a cam roller 16 which travels upon apointed cam 17 which has oppositely beveled cam faces, as may be seenfrom Figure 1. The cam 17 forms the upper portion of a rock lever 18pivotally mounted inter- 2O Chosen for illustration, the rocking plateor mediate its ends to the casing 1. This rock lever is connected in anysuitable manner with the switch mechanism proper. For example, by meansof a slot and pin connection, it may be operatively joined to atriangular plate 19 which, in turn, is connected by means of a link 20to the movable portion 21 of the switch, such movable portion beingpreferably pivoted and carrying the movable contacts 22.Stationarycontacts 23 are carried by the switch and cooperate with themovable contacts. I I

The details of the switch are more fully set forth in my copendingapplication Serial No- 537,250, filed May 14,1931.

It is to be noted that some active portion of the switch operatingmechanism is provided with a projecting member which extends outwardlythrough the casing. In the form rocking member l9 isprovided with a pin24 which not only pivotally joins the link 20, but also extendsoutwardly through an arcu- 25 ate slot 25 formed in the side wall of thecas ing 1. This pin 24 is most clearly shown in Figure 2 and the arcuateslot 25 through the casing is indicated in dotted lines in such figure.a I

On the outer side of the casing a cut-out lever 26fis'pivotal1y mountedupon a pin 27.

I This cut-out lever may be manually operable by means of a handle 28,if desired, or it may be operated by an electromagnet, or in any otherobvious manner. In the form chosen ,for illustration, manual operationhas been indicated.

The cut-out lever 26 is provided with a projecting portion extendingbeyond the pivot point and pivotally carrying a locking link or member29. This link or looking ,member 29 is in reality a sheet metal stamp-31 and 32 which limit the two extreme positions that this lever maytake, as shown in full and dotted lines in Figure 2.

The locking link or member 29 is also pr0- vided with an car 33 which isapertured and which receives one end of the tension spring 34. The otherend of the tensionspring is passed through an aperture in the pin 27 andserves to lock the lever 26 against outward movement. 7

The locking member 29 is thus carried solely by the lever 26. Thislocking member is provided with a slot 35 which accommodates the pin 24.Normally the slot 35 roughly aligns with the slot 25, as may be seenfrom Figure 2, and permits the pin 24 to rock back and forth inaccordance with the motion of the member 19, see Figure 1. Conse-.quently, in the full line position of the parts shown in Figure 2, theswitch may open or close in an automatic manner and may acinto itsdotted line position and restrains the 7 pin 24 from moving along theslot 25 and consequently locks the switch in open position.

In view of the fact that the members 29 and 26 are in essence togglelinks, it is apparent that it is merely necessary'to have the member 29move slightly past dead center when in its dotted or switch lockingposition, asviewed in Figure 2. The spring 34 tl1us holds the member 29against inadvertent movement. No amount of force exerted by the pin 24can shift the position of the member 29, as the initial movement of thepin-24 is towards the pivot point27 and slightly below the pivot point30 when in dotted line position, as viewed in Figure 2. In other words,the members 29 and 26 are locked slightly past-dead center. r

in the form of the inventionshown in Figure 4, substantially the sameidea is followed. However, a traveling rod 36 actuates the switchmechanism. This rod may be a float rod, if desired, or may be some othertype of movable rod. It is provided with stops 3? at spaced points whichengage a lever 38 pivoted at 39 within the housing 40 of the switch,

the rod 36 loosely passing through the eyeis connected by means of alink toa main rock lever 42 which corresponds to the rock lever 5,'seeFigure 1, a suitable stop 43 being provided to limit the motion of thisrock lever. The rocking member 19, see Figure 4, is operativelyconnected, in a manner similar to that previously described, to thelever 42 and vactuates an electric switch, not shown, by

means of the link 43. In the position of the parts shown in Figure 4,theswitch will be held closed, as the link 43 is thrust upwardly intoits uppermost position, and when the member19 is rocked to the right, asviewed in Figure 4, the link 43 will be drawn downwardly, thus openingthe switch.

A slot 44 is formed in the casing 40 through f which the pin 45 ofthe.rocking member '19 may pass in the same manner as previously described.

i A cut-out lever 46 is pivoted, as indicated at 47, to an outer wall ofthe casing and is provided at one end with an operating handle 48 orother operating means. The other end of the lever pi'votally carries thelocking member 49, similar to the member 29 previ ously described, andprovided with a slot 50 to receive the pin 45. In the position of theparts shown in Figure 4, the switch is locked in closed position.Obviously themechanism could be so arranged as to lock the switch eitheropen or closed.

Figure 5 is intended to show a construction whereby the switch may beoperated by means of a vacuum controlled diaphragm 51. In this form thediaphragm is connected to a headed plunger 52 which operates anintermediate lever 53. This lever is formed of spaced parts, eachprovided with an outward- 1y turned bearing finger 54 which fits withint e notched portions of downwardly project ing arms 55. The arms 55 arein operative relation to the pressure plate 56 which is pivoted to therock lever 57, such rock lever corresponding identically to the lever 5,see Figure 1, in function and mode of operation.

It will be seen that the invention is applicable to different types ofelectric switches and that the cut-out mechanism may be operated in anysuitable manner.

It will be seen, further, that the cut-out mechanism is so associatedwith the automatic switch that the automatic switch is not onlyautomatically controlled, but also is manually controlled, so that thenecessity of an auxiliary manually or otherwise controlled switch isWholly avoided and the automatic switch thus performs a dual function.

It will be seen further that the mechanism is very simple, is cheap, andis compact, and may be most readily associated with the switch mechanismto form a unitary struc ture.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it isto be understood that such description is intended as illustrativerather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and isto be interpreted as claimed.

I claim:

1. The combination of an electric switch, fluid actuated means foroperating said switch, said switch having a movable memher, a snap latchadapted to snap into either of two positions, one position being acrossthe path of movement of said movable member, and the other positionbeing out of the path of movement of said movable m'ember, and means formoving said snap latch into one or the other of said two positions.

2. In an electric switch having a movable member, latching meanscomprising a control lever, and a latching member pivoted to, and bodilycarried by, said control lever, said latching member holding said switchagainst movement in one position of said control lever by engaging themovable member of said switch.

3. In an electric switch having a movable member, latching meanscomprising a control lever, and a latching member pivoted to, and bodilycarried by, said control lever, said latching member holding said switchagainst movement in one position of said control lever by engaging themovable member of said switch, said latching member and said leverforming a toggle joint.

4. In an electric switch having a movable member, latching meanscomprising a con trol lever, a latching member pivoted to, and bodilycarried by said control lever, said latching member holding said switchagainst movement in one position of said control lever by engaging themovable member of said switch, and a spring having its ends attached tosaid lever and said latching member.

5. A latching means for an electric switch having a movable member, saidlatching means comprising a control lever, a latching member bodilycarried by and pivoted upon said control lever and having a slot forreceiving the movable member of said switch, a pair of ears formed onsaid latching member to limit its rocking motion relatively to saidlever, and a spring having its ends fastened to said latching member andsaid control lever.

6. In a device of the class described, a switch having a movable member,latching means for latching said movable member in one position, saidlatching means comprising a pivotally mounted lever, a triangularlatching member pivoted adjacent an apex to said lever and having earsforming stops located at two of the apices, and a spring secured to saidtriangular latching member and to said lever, said latching member beingcarried solely by said lever and having a slot for the reception of saidmovable member, said latching lever and said latching memberconstituting toggle levers, and in one position passing dead center withone of said ears bearing against said lever, said slot receiving saidmovable member in the extreme end of such slot adjacent said lever whensaid lever is rocked to latching position.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is afiixed hereto.

HER-MON L. VAN VALKENBURG.

